Possible Registry Enumeration through WMI Stdregprov (via process_creation)

title: Possible Registry Enumeration through WMI Stdregprov (via process_creation)
id: 0503d59e-d62a-5845-8e43-fa07aaf02598
status: stable
description: This rule detects the use of wmic.exe to enumerate or read Windows registry via the WMI StdRegProv class read methods (EnumKey, EnumValues, GetStringValue, etc.). While registry reads are common, adversaries may use this method to perform reconnaissance and discover sensitive configuration values, credentials, or installed software. The use of WMI as an alternative to standard tools like reg.exe can indicate an attempt to evade detection focused on traditional registry query commands.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1012/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1047/
    - https://trustedsec.com/blog/command-line-underdog-wmic-in-action
    - https://trustedsec.com/blog/wmi-for-script-kiddies
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/regprov/stdregprov
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-01-02
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1047
    - attack.discovery
    - attack.t1012
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\wmic.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'wmic.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'stdregprov'
            - 'call'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'CheckAccess'
            - 'EnumKey'
            - 'EnumValues'
            - 'GetBinaryValue'
            - 'GetDWORDValue'
            - 'GetExpandedStringValue'
            - 'GetMultiStringValue'
            - 'GetQWORDValue'
            - 'GetSecurityDescriptor'
            - 'GetStringValue'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium